REFILE-L.A. police to reopen probe into firing of fugitive ex-officer

February 09, 2013|Reuters

(Fixes typo in fourth paragraph to murderer from murder)

LOS ANGELES, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Los Angeles police officialswill reopen an investigation into the 2008 firing of an officerwanted for three recent slayings, the police chief said onSaturday as he called for the man to turn himself in.

The former Los Angeles officer, Christopher Dorner, 33, hasbeen at the center of manhunt following the killing of threepeople in California over the last several days.

One of those killed is the daughter of a retired policecaptain who represented Dorner in a disciplinary action that ledto his firing, after officials found Dorner made falsestatements accusing another officer of using excessive force.

Police Chief Charlie Beck said in a statement he is notre-opening the investigation into Dorner's firing "to appease amurderer" but to "reassure the public that their policedepartment is transparent and fair."

Beck's decision was first reported by local televisionstation KCBS in Los Angeles on Saturday, which carried a lengthyinterview with the chief in which he called on Dorner to turnhimself in and tell his side of the story in his firing.

"If you turn yourself in, you will be safe and nobody elsehas to die," Beck said on the station.